Oilers' farm team narrowly avoids deadly Oklahoma tornado

Alex Plante, shown here in last year's AHL Western Conference final against the Toronto Marlies, lives with a family in Moore, Okla. but was in downtown OKC when the tornadoes hit. The family sheltered at the Cox Convention Centre in OKC, and had yet to return to their house by early Monday evening. (Dave Abel, QMI Agency)

Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun

At about noon Monday, the Oklahoma City Barons left their practice facility in the suburb of Moore.

“It’s only a half mile away,” said coach Todd Nelson of the path of one of the most damaging tornadoes in history, which cut a mile-wide swath just over three hours later.

“All of our guys are safe and accounted for,” said general manager Bill Scott of the Edmonton Oilers AHL farm team after the tornado wiped out entire neighborhoods with winds of 320 kmh, killing at least 37 people.

“We’re good. Our guys live on the north side of the city or in the downtown area.